A Metal MInute

By Tabatha Spears Woodruff

This month’s Metal Minute is dedicated to music lovers the world over. The ones who are impacted by the words, feelings, and sounds emitted from the artists who share their gift with us. What would the world be without the sound of a guitar thrumming? Would we know what it is to miss the feel of the drum beat or the magic sounds that emit from a piano? I shiver at the thought of going through my existence without these wonderful things to experience.

I would also like to extend my condolences to the friends and families of those that we lost this month. The artists, and the music lovers as well. Our thoughts are with all of those impacted by these unexpected, tragic events.

Music is art, truly; someone puts their soul into creating these works. Like art, there are those who enjoy it, and those who prefer something different. Not everyone likes Picasso or Da Vinci’s work, just as there are people who prefer death metal to grunge. That is why there is such a variety; because like art, and everything else in life, tastes vary.

May brought to us the unexpected death of at least two well-known, and well-loved artists. Fans the world over grieve, and others, well, they create memes that make light of the loss. What we all need to consider is this: If it was your favorite artist, or a member of a band that you grew up with, would you hit the social media forums making tasteless comments and acting like the world is better off without him or her? I highly doubt that. You may also take offense or even be hurt by those who do. Am I telling you that you cannot have an opinion of a person? Absolutely not; far be it from me, or any other writer for that matter, to tell you what to think or how to feel.

However, what I am saying is that there is a time and a place for everything and making crude and even cruel remarks about the loss of a person (whomever they may be) is saying to others that you don’t respect them or their feelings either. On that note, I’d like to leave you with this: if music is art in its truest, simplest form for some, then let those who have lost someone that impacted their lives grieve, just as you would if the tables were turned. The impact of music on the human soul is great, and everyone deserves to feel that.

We also heard of the tragedy that befell music lovers at a concert in Manchester. This may not have been a rock or metal concert, but it still impacted our family. All of us are still affected by the fact that another tragedy has occurred during a time that should be positive and life-enhancing. When we go to shows, it isn’t just to waste time. It is to connect with the people there with us, and share in the experience of watching and listening to the artists on stage. We may not listen to the same music, but we are all still connected by the love of song. Every person who scrolls through their playlist looking for the song that they need at the moment, the ones who write about and share their experiences, and those who play their hearts out – we are all connected. We are a family. A grand, growing, diverse family that encompasses every city in this world. To me, that’s powerful. Imagine it – hands joining across the nations, every race, color, language, creed, sexual orientation and gender-identity- it doesn’t matter because we are one.